There is definitely a feel of spring in the air, with Augusta around the corner so we hope for those people who have been in hibernation it's time to dust off the clubs and hit the links. And that was exactly what golfers were doing last Easter weekend, enjoying some early spring sunshine while playing in the Southern Cross Bowl and Louis Nalty competitions.

The overall winners of the Southern Cross were Steve Ashton & Paul Mellish, and for the Louis Nalty were Liz Martinez-Gray & Pam Owen. 

Here is a full list of our winners:

Southern Cross Cups 

Friday - Winners - Steve Ashton & Paul Mellish 45pts, Runner-Up - John Rothwell & Gordon Ireland - 43pts 

Saturday - Winners - David Parkin & John Hill 41pts*, Runners-Up - Simon Wood & Pete Wilder - 

Sunday - Winners - Josh Cote & Richard Toogood, Runners-Up - Peter Toogood & Colin Taylor 


Louis Nalty Trophy 

Winners - Liz Martinez-Gray & Pam Owen - 41pts, Runner-Up - Tita McCart & J MacKenzie - 40pts


 

There are just a few tickets left in the Masters draw available, so please enter when you're in the shop over the next couple of days. 

There is no better way to kick off the new season by having an interest in golf's first major and winning some credit in the shop at the same time. 

Remember, last prize is the player who makes the cut and finishes last......good luck!


 

With the European Tour taking a week off we concentrate on events happening on the other side of the pond. The Shell Houston Open has traditionally been contested in the week prior to The Masters and the Rees Jones designed layout is always set up to replicate the sort of conditions the players will face at Augusta. 

As such, the event attracts a strong field as players complete their final Masters preparation. This year is no different. Jordan Spieth will tee it up, so too four further top-10 players in Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Henrik Stenson. WGC-Dell Match Play runner-up Louis Oosthuizen will also start. 33 players headed to Augusta next week will play in Humble, Texas. 

Jordan Spieth will be hoping to find some form ahead of his Masters defence. He reached a playoff in this tournament last year, but lost out to J.B. Holmes. This is a course that big hitting Holmes clearly enjoys. He was tied second over the layout in 2009 and tied eighth in 2012.

In 2008, Augusta National restored the Shell Houston Open's automatic winner's ticket for The Masters so this event provides a last chance for a player to make it to the year's first Major. In the past Johnson Wagner (2008), D.A. Points (2013) and Matt Jones (2014) have taken advantage of that offer. 

The Houston Open began life in 1924 and over the years it's seen some notable winners including Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer and Roberto DeVicenzo. 

The weather forecast for the week is unsettled and there could be thunderstorms on Thursday. But the system should pass over through Friday leaving the weekend clear.

Player Watch:

Patrick Reed - He showed some fine form in the Dell Match Play and has enjoyed a good season so far - six top-10 finishes. 

Henrik Stenson - The Swede had a week off for the Match Play so should be well rested for this event. He was tied for third in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has twice finished in the top-three in this event. 

Brooks Koepka - The hugely talented American has a game that's well suited to this layout. He reached the quarter finals last week where he lost out to Jason Day.

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